Raiders Show Grit in 27-18 Win

Coming off a decisive defeat to the Bridgeport Bulldogs last week at their home opener, the Sidney Red Raider Football team needed a big win to right their season, and got one in the form of a victory that forced the Raiders to pass numerous tests to earn that first win of the season.

Head Coach Chris Koozer’s squad started on offense, but could not move the ball on their first possession. Chase County started their first drive, and on the third play from scrimmage a 53 yard run to the end zone gave the Longhorn’s a quick 6-to-0 lead.

Sidney received the kickoff, and needing a drive for points, passed their first test by going on an 11 play 68 yard drive capped by sophomore quarterback Nolan Hofrock’s 3 yard touchdown run to tie the score at six. After the Longhorns started from their 22 yard line, their first and second downs lost Chase County two yards. Sidney has struggled recently with giving up big plays on third down and long, but the Raiders passed another test when sophomore Austin Roelle came up from the secondary and made a first down saving tackle to force a Chase County punt.

Sidney started in good field position and got their running game going, with Hofrock handing off to junior Nathan Kennedy and senior Brady Robb out of the backfield. Some offensive line adjustments made a noticeable difference as the Raider front was consistently able to open holes for big gains On a third and two, Robb blasted through a big hole on the inside and trucked 31 yard for a touchdown, and the Raiders went up 13-to-6 after senior Connor Hartzler’s point after kick split the uprights.  Another test passed by the Raiders; taking advantage of good field position and scoring a touchdown to go ahead.

Again Sidney’s defense stifled Chase County junior quarterback Ryan Bernhardt, by far the Longhorn’s biggest offensive threat. Again Sidney started a drive with Robb, Kennedy and Hofrock continuing the rushing attack until on a third and six, the Longhorn defense bit on a Hofrock pump fake, and the sophomore found senior Zack Burke wide open and dropped the ball in for a 27 yard gain. Kennedy then scored on a seven yard run, and after Hartzler’s point after the Raiders seemed to be in control with a 20-to-6 lead. Chase County was able to pick up one first down, but then punted away deep into Sidney territory. With the remaining time, Kennedy and Robb rushed for short gains, and the teams went into the half.

Sidney kicked off to start the second half, and had Chase County start off at their own 16 yard line. The Longhorns came out fired up, and started to have success on the ground, with Bernhardt breaking out big runs and the Longhorns racking up first downs. Bernhardt then went around the end and was hit at the line, but he bounced off and got to the corner then turned upfield for a 31 yard gain. A few plays later, Bernhardt rolled left and connected with sophomore Cade Anderson for a 16 yard touchdown catch, and after a missed point after, the score was 20-to-12.

Sidney’s next drive did not result in any points, but they managed a first down and moved the ball enough so Brady Robb’s punt put the Longhorns back to their 20 yard line. In the next drive, Bernhardt completed his first pass of the year, then continued with the ground attack, eventually breaking out on a third and three and running 48 yards for a touchdown, and after a missed two point conversion the score was 20-to-18, and the Raiders were starting to feel the pressure.

There was one more test for the Raiders to pass, and that was to finish the game. Sidney started deep in their own territory and started on a long drive, with short runs mixed with good gains and a few Chase County penalties. The Raiders continued to pound the ball, wearing out the Longhorn’s defensive line, and finally hit pay dirt when Hofrock punched it in on a quarterback keeper from the one yard line and after Hartzler’s point after attempt was good, the Raiders extended their lead to 27-to-18. The 15 play drive covered 82 yards and burned up just over eight minutes of time, making it a two possession game with just over six minutes left to play.

Sidney’s fresh defense shut down the Longhorn offense, forcing a punt and taking over at the Raider’s 40 yard line. The tired Longhorn defense gave it their all, and forced a Sidney three-and-out. Robb launched a terrific punt, sailing 40 yards with no return, and Chase County found themselves starting at their own 10 yard line with 3:02 remaining.  Two Bernhardt rushes gave the Longhorns a first down, but the Chase County squad couldn’t make any more plays, and Burke knocked away a Bernhardt pass intended for junior Brice Vitosh on fourth down and long, and the Raiders took over on downs. Two Hofrock kneel downs later the Red Raiders notched the 27-to-18 victory. Robb and Kennedy each rushed for touchdowns and powered the offense the entire game, with Robb gaining 128 yards on 21 carries while Kennedy rushed 20 times for 119 yards.The Red Raiders rushed for 251 yards total and passed for 31 yards in the win.  Chase County’s Ryan Berhardt led all rushers with 28 attempts and 158 yards.

Sidney next hosts the Cozad Haymakers on Friday at 7 p.m. at Weymouth Field.